Testimonials - Paintings

Francesca’s paintings always evoke a strong response. I was so drawn to the painting "In Memory of the Fallen” that I had to buy it and it now hangs in my study.

Each day I am greeted by the surging , uplifting energy of its vibrant greens, overlaid with lines of red, like poppies or gunfire, which melts away to a soft, grey cloud that seems like smoke or – to my mind – the souls of dead soldiers. And that’s exactly what makes her work so powerful – the layers of meaning. I enjoy this painting for its use of colour and texture but I value it for the emotions it provokes.

It’s strong stuff and beautiful, and I wouldn’t want my space to be without it.

The painting I have by Francesca Howard is called 'The Bravery of Starting on The Road Ahead'. It hangs in my consulting room. I am a psychotherapist and the aptness of the title for my work, and for my clients is clear. The painting is dominated by shades of blue, but has reds, yellows and greens woven through it. Sometimes it looks like a river winding through a landscape, sometimes like a night scene. My clients comment on it, and sometimes, perhaps when someone needs to detach from the content of the session, I ask them to look at the painting and tell me what they see.

It is always meaningful in different ways. The connection between visual art, and the process of therapy is profound - inner worlds become manifest, interpreted, framed.

When Francesca gave me this painting she told me "I have a feeling this picture will do good work in your room."